Crowds turned out for an estate sale at the Adelphi Hotel Wednesday. The sale continues through Saturday.
Photo Erica Miller

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Lisa Noonan's mother will get the surprise of her life when she gets home from London soon.

Noonan bought her mom a set of wicker chairs at the Adelphi Hotel, where hundreds of people lined up outside in freezing temperatures on Wednesday for the opening of an estate sale that continues through Saturday.

By then, however, most things will probably be gone because everyone wants a piece of history from the 135-year-old hotel, which is slated to undergo major renovations soon.

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"I came here looking for a mirror," Noonan, of Saratoga Springs, said with a broad smile. "I got these four chairs with the original cushions. There were six and somebody else wanted some, so I said, 'You can have the last two.' I couldn't take them all."

Outside, Noonan stacked up other furniture that she just couldn't resist, especially at such bargain basement prices -- $10 for wooden chairs; $30 for a drop-leaf table.

"It's like shopping at the Dollar Store," one woman said, as she got ready to pay $2 for an old soap dish.

Even some of the biggest pieces, such as mirror-topped dressers, sold for only $300.

New York-based Richbell Capital LLC, a real estate investment and development firm, purchased the Adelphi Hotel last April for $4.5 million. Plans call for a major overhaul that's scheduled for completion this summer, in time for the 150th anniversary Saratoga Race Course season. Previously, the 39-room hotel was open from May to October, but after the renovations it will be open year-round.

"I'm just curious, but I'm running out of curiosity real fast," joked Tom Frost, as he braved the cold while standing in line.

Some people showed up about an hour before the sale's 10 a.m. start. Each customer was allowed 30 minutes inside to make a purchase.

McKenzie Burke of Saratoga Springs found one of the most unique items, a rustic Adirondack-style birch bed with a large "A" on the headboard. While two friends, Jeff Mann and Kyle Klopstock, carried the heavy piece outdoors, she followed behind with long birch log.

What's it for?

"We're not quite sure," she laughed.

Tom Carringi of Saratoga Springs found a brass, black marble-topped light stand to his liking for $150.

"It's part of the history of this hotel, one of the last old hotels still standing," he said. "There are a lot of good deals."

Michelle Slone of Wilton said, "I wanted to get something for each of my kids who grew up in Saratoga and don't live here any more."

Soon, a table and chair from the Adelphi will be headed to her son and daughter who live in Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively.

Joyce Rescigno of Stillwater went home with an antique desk-top lamp. She said she likes to relax at the Adelphi with cocktails after an exciting day at the races in the summer. "I'm glad it's going to be year-round," she said. "That's great."

Kasandra Carda and her husband, Jesse, who works at the Navy's West Milton nuclear facility, have a 150-year-old house in Saratoga Springs. "I'd love a Saratoga trunk," she said. "We already have quite a few antiques. I'd like to get some age-appropriate pieces -- desks, tables, mirrors."

People made time in their busy workday schedules for the sale, simply because it's such a rare opportunity.

"What a day to be outside," said Donna Hays, who stood in line for well over an hour. "I don't know why I showed up at 10 o'clock and expected to get in. I just want one thing, a little piece of history. It's worth it."

The sale is scheduled to continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Saturday.